Ole, Opa and Our Life on the Fast Track

Time for cake!

Lily invited us to her Cinco de Mayo-themed fourth birthday party yesterday; we had great fun watching her and her friends cavort in our former neighbors’ back yard.

These days, we’re so stressed running from activity to obligation, being plugged in, crunching numbers, cleaning things, making deadlines, facing the music, and planning for the next activity avalanche, we almost never “stop and smell the beer” as Basil would say.

Yesterday we did for a couple of hours, and this morning as I race around giving everything a final spit and polish before Basil’s family arrives to celebrate Greek Easter, I’m once again trying to figure out how to put the brakes on before we all implode.

We are, as they say, burning the candles at both ends — and fast running out of wax.

But for a little while yesterday, we checked out of life. It was heaven to watch this horde of kids play. They ran through the yard, climbed the swing set, played ball, you name it.

A little pizza, a few chips with salsa, a visit from Mr. Bungles the clown, and life was good.

The kids had fun, too.

Highlights of the day:

• seeing our friends and their growing family as it blossoms
• the new toddler friend Catherine made, who wanted to play “catch” with a ball bigger than he is
• the other “Catherine,” she of the red sequined shoes and silk party dress — we couldn’t help but smile at her outfit
• special hugs and kisses Lily reserved just for Mr. Basil — and how she wants to know when he is coming back for lunch again
• sweet James, who wrenched himself away from a gaggle of boys from trying to tip the inflatable cactus beverage display over long enough to greet Mr. Basil with a running hug that nearly sent Basil head over heels

James didn’t notice me or Catherine, I’m afraid. 😉